Poets Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich take on the Western canon of fairy tales in their sly, wry, joint collection Grumbles from the Forest (Boyds Mills, $16.95). For each beloved piece of lore, they offer poems in the voices of different characters. Major and minor players are equally represented, giving the reader a range of fresh and surprising perspectives. We hear from the princess and the pea. There’s Jack with his beanstalk, but also the Giant’s Wife. And these are not your familiar Disney characters: the dark, eerily gorgeous paintings of illustrator Matt Mahurin recall the grim origins of many of these Grimm tales. Ages 7-12. EMS
$16.95
ISBN: 9781590788677
Availability: Special Order—Subject to Availability
Published: Wordsong - March 1st, 2013
Beginning with
the earliest black
explorers and
ending with
the election of
President Barack
Obama, Linda
Tarrant-Reid has
created an indispensable
resource
for Discovering
Black America (Abrams, $29.95). This sweeping,
comprehensive history touches on myriad
aspects of black American life, from major
historical events to countless artistic and
cultural contributions. Tarrant-Reid focuses
primarily on individual lives (both household
names and the less famous), making the history
engaging and easy to follow. Photographs,
primary documents, and other ephemera
flesh out the narrative. This modern classic
belongs in any home or classroom library.
Ages 12 and up. EMS
$29.95
ISBN: 9780810970984
Availability: In Stock—Click for Locations
Published: Abrams Books for Young Readers - September 1st, 2012
Everyone’s favorite trollfighting,
sword-wielding
eleven-year-old Orthodox
Jewish girl is back! In
Hereville: How Mirka Met a
Meteorite (Amulet, $16.95),
the second installment in the
series, Mirka is once again
dodging chores (especially knitting—she hates
knitting), trying (and failing) to beat her wily
stepmother at chess, and, of course, seeking
mischief and mayhem whenever possible.
Barry Deutsch’s drawings are a delight. His
characters seem to burst off the page, and
he portrays Mirka’s insular community with
humor, just enough cheekiness, and plenty of
warmth. Ages 8-12. EMS
$17.95
ISBN: 9781419703980
Availability: Not On Our Shelves—Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Amulet Books - November 1st, 2012
